Vending cycle control circuit



Sept. 22, 0 R. D. BOWMAN 3,529,701

VENDING CYCLE CONTROL CIRCUIT Filed Nov. 25, 1968 LN Q, r

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\ a RAYMOND D.,BOWMAN fimwzjwmwuzzm ATTORNEYS I United States Patent O3,529,707 VENDING CYCLE CONTROL CIRCUIT Raymond D. Bowman, Ringgold,Ga., assignor to The Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporationof Delaware Filed Nov. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 778,474 Int. Cl. G07f 11/00U.S. Cl. 194-10 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A control circuitfor the vend cycle of a multi-selection, coin operated vending machineis provided wherein dispensing from a plurality of columns is controlledby a separate solenoid for each column and a vend motor common to allcolumns. A selector relay is provided for each selection, with one ofthe selector relays being arranged to establish the power circuit to thevend motor.

The present invention relates to a control circuit for a coin operatedvending machine having a multiplicity of stacks or columns, each ofwhich is adapted to receive a plurality of articles to be selectivelydispensed. Selected articles are dispensed, one at a time, from one ofthe stacks in response to a selection by a customer. A solenoid is usedindividually for each selection, and a vend motor is common to allselections. The vend motor which controls the vending cycle is arrangedto drive a pair of associated timer switches, one of which serves tobreak the initial holding power circuit to a vend or credit relay andestablish an alternate energizing circuit for the vend motor. The othertimer switch serves to ground the energizing coil of the solenoid forcontrolleddispensing from a selected column. Each column has associatedtherewith a selector relay which is arranged to be energized for anindividual selection. One of the selector relays is connected in circuitto establish an initial energizing circuit to the vend motor for allselections. The control circuit of the present invention removesestablished credit at the proper time so as to insure delivery of onlyone article per established credit and allows alternate selection ofarticles when one selection is sold out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coin operated vending machines forselectively dispensing articles, one at a time, from a plurality ofsources are well known. Such vending machines generally comprise aplurality of stacks of articles which may be arranged in columns in sideby side relationship. Upon deposit of a suitable coin, credit isestablished and a dispensing cycle is initiated according to a selectionby the customer which causes a vend motor to be cycled and a solenoidactuated dispensing mechanism to be actuated to cause an article to bedispensed from the selected stack.

While various mechanical and electrical arrangements are known in theprior art for controlling delivery of articles, one at a time, from astack, the vending industry has been continually searching for improvedand simplified electrical control circuits. Preferably, such circuitsare characterized by minimum requirements of power of operation, minimuminterferences of elements and simplicity in design, thereby allowing aflexibility in construction and operation which reduces cost ofmanufacture, operation and maintenance.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved vending cycle control circuit for a vending machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedvending cycle control circuit for a vending machine which preventsjack-potting of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedvending cycle control circuit for a multi-selection vending machinewhich will prevent placing the entire vending machine out of order inthe event of a sold out selection, and which will allow operation of thevending machine with any number of selections sold out so long as thereis at least one selection that is not sold out.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a coinoperated vending machine having a multiplicity of stacks or columns eachof which may be provided with articles of different characteristics suchas, for example, bottle beverages of different flavors and having asolenoid actuated dispensing arrangement for selectively dispensingarticles one at a time according to the choice of the customer. To thisend, dispensing from each column is controlled by a separate solenoidwhich is arranged to be energized during the vend cycle through a camoperated switch driven by the vend motor. A second cam operated switchis operably connected to break the initial holding power circuit to thevend relay corresponding to the selection and establish an alternateholding or power circuit for the vend motor. The selected solenoidremains energized as long as the associated cam operated switch ismaintained in its actuated position. When the switch is released, thesolenoid is deenergized, but the vend motor continues to run through thealternate power circuit until the second cam switch is returned to itsoriginal position. Each column has associated therewith a selector relayarranged to be energized for an individual selection. One of theselector relays also serves to establish the initial vend motorenergizing circuit for all selections. The dual function of said relayresults in a simplification of the control circuit over knOWn arrange.ments having the same sequence and results in a reduction inmanufacturing cost, while simultaneously providing increasedreliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and the attendantadvantages of the present invention will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. Althoughone specific form of invention is illustrated, it is to be expresslyunderstood that this drawing is for the purpose of illustration only andis not intended to represent the full scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing is a schematic diagram of the improved vendingcycle control circuit of the present invention.

Since the inventive concept of this invention resides in the improvedelectrical control circuit and is independent of the cabinet in which itis located or the mechanical means for delivery of the article that isdispensed, the invention will be hereinafter descibed with referenceonly to the schematic of the control circuit, its method of operationand control. However, reference may be made to US. Pat. 3,158,290,issued Nov. 24, 1964 and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention, for a general description of a dispensing mechanism withwhich the improved control circuit of the present invention may be used.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated schematically theimproved vending cycle control circuit of the present invention. Thecontrol circuit is illustrated in connection with a coin operatedvending machine having six (6) columns or stacks (A-E) of articles;however, it will be apparent that more or less than 6 columns may beutilized and the operating sequence for dispensing and article from eachcolumn is substantially the same. The circuit is illustrated in acondition in which column A is sold out. Each component in the operatingcircuit of one column corresponding to a like component in the operatingcircuit of other columns is designated with a like numerical referencecharacter which is followed by an alphabetical character designating theparticular column with which the component is associated.

Each column, has associated therewith a solenoid a pair of sold outswitches 12 and 13, a sold out indicator light 14, a selector switch anda selector relay 16. Switches 12, 13 and 15 are all of the single poledouble throw type.

In addition to the components associated with a particular column, anumber of common control components are provided including coin operatedvend switch 17, vend relay 18, coin reject electromagnet 19, vend cyclemotor and a pair of cam operated switches 21 and 22 adapted to beactuated by associated cams 11 and 23 driven by motor 20.

Power to the the circuit is applied across a pair of supply conductors24 and 25 which may be connected to a conventional supply source (notshown). The positive terminal of line 24 designates the hot line, whilethe negative terminal connected to line 25 designates the ground returnline.

Credit is established by energization of vend relay 18 which occurs uponinsertion of a proper coin into a coin mechanism (not shown) andactuation of the associated coin switch 17. The coin mechanism may be aconventional coin operated device adapted to receive coins of greatervalue than the cost of an article to be selected and dispense changeaccordingly, while momentarily closing the normally open pair ofcontacts of switch 17 upon actuation of the movable contact arm 28 whenthe proper amount of coins has been received.

Briefly, describing the operating sequence for a vend cycle, the vendingmachine coin mechanism cannot accept coins to operate the vend or coinswitch 17 unless its coin reject electromagnet mechanism 19 isenergized. When the machine is ready for operation in a stand-bycondition, the coin reject electromagnet is energized. Momentaryactuation of the coin switches establishes credit, which corresponds tothe energization of the vend relay 18. Upon return of the movablecontact arm 28 of the coin switch to its initial position, an enablingcircuit is established to the customer selection switches for postselection through a set of contacts of the vend relay.

Upon actuation of a selector switch 15, a corresponding selector relay16 is energized and the vend motor power circuit is established. Thisinitiates a vend cycle to cause delivery of an article from a selectedcolumn. To this end, the vend motor 20 drives or actuates a pair of camoperated switches 21 and 22, one of which breaks the power or holdingcircuit to the vend relay which was energized upon insertion of theproper coinage and establishes an alternate power circuit to the vendmotor, while the other cam operated switch esablishes the circuitthrough selector relay contacts to ground the solenoid of the selectedcolumn dispensing mechanism and cause the desired article to bedispensed.

Referring to the drawing, switch 17 includes a pair of fixed contacts 26and 27 and a movable contact arm 28 adapted to be momentarily displacedfrom a first position to a second position and returned to its firstposition when the proper amount of coins have been received. Movablecontact arm 28 is connected to supply conductor 24 and, upondisplacement of the arm from its first to its second position,establishes an energizing circuit to the energizing coil 30 vend relay18 through contacts 27, 28 and conductor 29. The other end of theenergizing coil 30 is connected to supply conductor 25 which forms acommon return or ground line for each of the sold out indicator lights14A14F, the energizing coils of selector relays 16A-16F, energizing coilof reject electromagnet 19 and the fixed contact of switch 22.

Coin reject electromagnet 19 provides a conventional coin blockingfunction through operation of a cooperating armature (not shown). In itsnormally energized condition, the armature is actuated so as to permit acoin to be inserted for establishing credit; however, once the coinoperated vend switch 17 is closed or actuated and vend relay 18energized, the coin reject electromagnet is deenergized to prevent theinsertion of another coin. The energizing circuit for electromagnet 19may be traced from line 24, through the normally closed contacts ofswitch 21 and one or more of parallel connected sold out switches13A-13F, through the normally closed contacts 31, 33 of vend relay 18 toone side of the electromagnet coil, the other side of the coil beingconnected directly to line 25.

Vend relay 18 includes an energized coil 30', a first set of fixedcontacts 31, 32 and an associated movable contact arm 33, a second setof fixed contacts 34, 35 and an associated movable contact arm 36 and athird set of fixed contacts 37, 38 and an associated movable contact arm39. Movable contact arms 36 and 39 are connected to line 24 throughconductor 40 and normally closed contacts 26, 28 of coin switch 17,while movable contact arm 33 is connected between one side of theelectromagnet coil and the power line 24 as hereinbefore described.

Vend relay 18, prior to insertion of the proper coinage in the machine,is deenergized. In this condition, input power through the coin switchterminates at contacts 34 and 37 which are dead-ended. When coin switch17 is momentarily actuated, power is applied to conductor 29 and coil 30is energized causing movable contacts 33, 36, 39 to switch to theenergized condition position establishing connection with contacts 32,35 and 38, respectively. A first circuit forming holding circuit forcoil 30 is established through conductor 29, fixed contact 32 andcontact arm 33 which is returned to power line 24 through the normallyclosed contacts of switch 21.

Switching of contacts 36 and 39 to their second position establishessecond and third circuits through conductors 41 and 42, respectively.The second circuit through conductor 41 is a holding circuit forselector relays 16. To this end, the conductor 41 is connected to theupper movable contact arm 51, as viewed in the drawing, of selectorrelay 16A. The third circuit established upon energization of vend relay18 is an enabling circuit for the selector relays. To this end,conductor 42 is connected to the movable contact arm 43 of selectorswitch 15A.

Power to contact arm 36 is maintained through the coin switch when it isreturned to its original position. In this manner, coin switch 17provides an anti-jackpot feature since neither the enabling circuit northe holding circuit of the selector relay can be established until thevend relay is energized and the coin switch is returned to its normallyclosed position. If the coin switch should be stuck in its openposition, due to a bent coin or for some other reason, actuation of aselector switch does not cause the associated selector relay to beoperated.

Each selector switch 15B-15F has its movable contact arm 43 connected tothe lower fixed contact 44 of the preceding switch. The series connectedcontacts are dead ended at fixed contact 44 of switch 15F. The otherfixed contact 45 of each switch ISA-15F is individually connectedthrough a conductor 46, the normally closed contacts of a correspondingsold out switch 12 and conductor 47 to one end of the energizing windingof the corresponding selector relay 16.

Advantageously, selector switches ISA-15F may be of the momentary,push-button type biased to their open position. Momentary closure ofswitch 15 completes the energizing circuit to the corresponding selectorrelay, if credit has been established, which is then maintainedenergized by the holding circuit established through one of its sets ofcontacts and energized conductor 41.

Each selector relay 16A-16F includes an energizingcoil 48 and upper andlower sets of contacts 49 and 50, respectively. Each set of contacts 49and 50 comprise a movable contact arm 51 and 52, respectively, and apair of corresponding fixed contacts 53, 54 and 55, 56.

The holding circuit for the selector relays is established through theupper set of contacts 4. Each fixed contact 53 is electrically connectedto the lower end, as viewed in the drawing, of the energizing winding ofthe corresponding selector relay. The normally closed lower contacts 51,54 of selector relays 16B16F are serially connected with contact 54 ofrelay 16F being dead-ended. Movable contact 51 of relay 16B iselectrically connected through suitable jumper leads 57, 58 to the fixedcontact 53 of relay 16A.

Also connected to the movable contact arm 51 of relay 16B through jumper57 is fixed contact 55 of relay 16A. This connection serves to providean initial energizing circuit for vend motor 20 when a selection ismade. One side of the energizing winding of the vend motor is connectedto the ground return line 25. The other side of the energizing windingof the vend motor is connected to the movable contact arm 52 of selectorrelay 16A through conductor 59.

The lower sets of contacts 50 of relays 16B-16F provide the groundreturn connection for the solenoid energizing coils of each column A-F.The coil of each solenoid B-10F has one end returned through conductor61 to the fixed contact 55 of the corresponding selector relays 16B-16F.The corresponding end of the coil of solenoid 10A is connected throughconductor 62 to fixed contact 56 of relay 16F. Contacts 52 and 56 arenormally closed when the selector relays are deenergized and the movablecontact 52 of each selector relay, starting with 16F, is connected tothe fixed contact 56 of the preceding relay, ending with relay 16B. Themovable contact arm 52 of selector relay 16B is connected to the groundreturn line 25 through conductor 60 and the closed contacts of camactuated switch 22.

Timer switch 21 and solenoid ground switch 22 are arranged to beactuated by cams 11 and 23 which are rotatably driven by vend motor 20in a well known manner. In its normal or first position, switch 21establishes the holding circuit for the vend relay as hereinbeforedescribed. In its second position, which corresponds to a fixed timeafter start of the vend motor, switch 21 establishes a second energizingcircuit for the vend motor through its normally opened, now closedcontacts. Thus, the vend motor is energized for a fixed periodcorresponding to the contour of cam 11 through switch 21.

Briefly describing a sequence of operation, the vend circuit isillustrated in a stand-by condition with the F column sold out. Switch12F is down and solenoid 10F cannot be energized. Coin rejectelectromagnet 19 is energized and the machine is in a condition ready toaccept coins to operate the coin switch 17 which in turn establishescredit by energization of vend relay 18. Once the coin switch isoperated and credit has been established the machine is ready for aselection to be made. If the coin switch sticks in the normally openposition because of a bent coin or for some other reason, the circuitwill not operate because the circuit through the selector switchescannot 'be established due to failure of the contract 28 to return toits original normally closed posiion. This provides an anti-jackpotfeature.

Assuming credit to be established and the customer operates selectorswitch 15B, selector relay 16B is energized. Closure of contacts 51, 53of relay 16B also causes the energizing coil of relay 16A to beenergized which establishes the initial energizing circuit for vendmotor 20 through its contacts 52, 55. A holding circuit for both relaysis maintained through contacts 51, 52 and the return lines throughcontacts 35, 36 of relay 18 and contacts 26, 28 of switch 17.

As the vend motor begins its cycle, timer switch 21 is soon actuated bycam 11 to its second position to establish the timed motor energizingcircuit and deenergize the vend relay. However, selector relays 16A and16B remain energized by virtue of the position of contacts of switch 21and the power circuit now maintained through 6 contacts 52, 55 of relay16A. It should be noted that EMF feedback from the vend motor 20 issufficient to keep the energizing coils of relays 16A and 16B energizedduring the brief instance that timer switch 21 is operating.

The vend motor continues to run through its time cycle While the timerswitch contacts are held in their second position by the timer cam. Thesolenoid ground switch 22 is operated next by cam 23. This grounds thesolenoid corresponding to the selected column through contacts 52, 55 ofrelay 16B causing the solenoid to operate. The solenoid remainsenergized as long as the solenoid ground switch 22 is held in a closedposition by its timer cam 22. When the timer cam 22 releases thesolenoid ground switch 22, the vend motor continues its cycle until thetimer switch 21 is operated through its cam 11 to remove power from thevend motor and selector relays, thus, returning the circuit to thestand-by position.

When a selection is made in the A column, selector relay 16A isenergized, but the ground return for solenoid 10A is made through theserially connected, normally closed contacts 52, 56 of selector relays16B-16F and the actuated solenoid ground switch 22. The remainder of thevend cycle is the same as previously described for a selection obtainedin column B.

While the control circuit of the present invention has been describedwith reference to a particular embodiment, changes or modifications tothe illustrated embodiment may now be suggested to those skilled in theart without departing from the present inventive concept. Referenceshould therefore be had to the following claims to determine the fullscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a control circuit for a coin operated vending machine having aplurality of columns of stored articles, a plurality of solenoidoperated actuators, each of which corresponds to a separate column andis arranged to be selectively actuated upon energization of its solenoidto dispense articles from the corresponding column, one at a time,according to the choice of a customer, a pair of input line conductorsadapted to be connected to a power circuit, first circuit meansincluding a selector switch and a selector relay for each column, eachselector relay having an operating and a plurality of circuit makingcontacts, said selector switch being arranged upon selective actuationby a customer to energize a corresponding operating winding of aselector relay the energization of which elfects the energization of acorresponding solenoid, a vend relay having an operating winding and aplurality of contacts for establishing an enabling circuit to theselector switches, coin operated means for connecting the operatingwinding of the vend relay across the line conductors, a vending cyclemotor, the improvement comprising means for connecting the operatingwinding of at least one of said selector relays for energization uponactivation of any selector switch such that there is an initialenergizing circuit for said vending cycle motor established by said oneof said selector relays upon actuation of any one of said selectorswitches and timing means establishing a second energization circuit forsaid motor, said timing means being controlled by said motor.

2. In a control circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timingmeans comprising a switch adapted for actuation between a first and asecond position, a cam driven by said motor for actuating said switchbetween said first and second position, said switch in its secondposition being serially connected with said motor.

3. In a control circuit as set forth in claim 2 further including asecond switch, said second switch being adapted for actuation between afirst and a second position, cam means driven by said motor foractuating said second switch, said switch in its second positionestablishing the energizing circuit for the solenoid of a selectedcolumn.

4. In a control circuit for a coin-operated vending machine having aplurality of columns of stored articles,

a plurality of solenoid operated actuators, each of which corresponds toa separate column and is arranged to be selectively actuated uponenergization of its solenoid to dispense articles from the correspondingcolumn, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer, a pair ofinput line conductors adapted to be connected to a power circuit, firstcircuit means including a selector switch and a selector relay for eachcolumn, each selector relay having an operating winding and a pluralityof circuit making contacts each selector switch being arranged uponselective actuation by a customer to energize a corresponding operatingwinding of a selector relay the energization of which establishes anenabling circuit of a corresponding solenoid, a vend relay having anoperating winding and a plurality of circuit making contacts forestablishing an enabling circuit to the selector switches, coin-operatedmeans for connecting the operating winding of the vend relay across theline conductors, a vending cycle motor, the improvement comprising meansfor connecting the operating winding of at least one of said selectorrelays in an energization circuit for energization upon activation ofany selector switch, a first and a second cam operated timer switch, afirst and a second timing cam driven by said vend motor for actuatingsaid first and said second switches, respectively, between a first and asecond position, said first timer switch in its first position beingconnected in series circuit with the energized operating winding of thevend relay and establishing the holding circuit therefor and in itssecond position in series circuit with the vend motor, said last namedseries circuit being connected across the input line conductors, saidsecond timer switch in its second position being connected electricallyin series with the solenoid winding of a selected column forenergization thereof and an initial energizing circuit for said vendmotor established by said one of said selector relays upon actuation ofany one of said selector switches.

5. A control circuit for a coin-operated vending machine having aplurality of columns of articles adapted to be selectively dispensed anda plurality of solenoid operated actuators, each of which corresponds toa separate column and is arranged to be selectively actuated uponenergization of its solenoid to dispense articles from the correspondingcolumn, one at a time, according to the choice of a customer, comprisinga pair of input line conductors adapted to be connected to a powercircuit, a selector switch for each column adapted upon selectiveactuation by a customer to energize a corresponding solenoid, aplurality of selector relays, one for each column, each having itsoperating winding connected so as to be selectively energized uponactuation of a corresponding selector switch from said line conductors,a vend relay having an operating winding, and a plurality of sets ofcontacts adapted upon energization of said vend relay operating windingto establish a first and a second circuit, means for connecting saidvend relay operating winding across the line conductors for energizationthereof including a coin operated vend switch, said coin-operated vendswitch being electrically connected in series with one of the lineconductors and adapted to be momentarily actuated from a first to asecond position upon insertion of a coin for energization of said vendrelay operating winding, said second circuit establishing a holdingcircuit for a selected selector relay upon energization thereof, a vendmotor, means for connecting the operating winding of at least one ofsaid selector relays to said second circuit for energization uponactivation of any selector switch, a first and a second cam operatedtimer switch, a first and a second timer cam driven by said vend motorfor actuating said first and said second switches, respectively, betweena first and a second position, said first timer switch when in its firstposition being connected in said first circuit in series with theenergized operating winding of the vend relay and establishing theholding circuit therefor and 1n its second position in series circuitwith the vend motor, said second timer switch in its second positionbeing connected electrically in series with the solenoid Winding of aselected column for energization thereof and an initial energizingcircuit for said vend motor established by said one of said selectorrelays upon actuation of any one of said selector switches.

o. A control circuit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality ofsets of contacts of said vend relay form a third circuit uponenergization of said vend relay said third circuit including saidselector switches and normally open contacts of selector relays,corresponding selector switches and operating winding of selector relaysbeing connected in series such that actuation of any one selector switchenergizes the corresponding selector relay.

7. A control circuit as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of saidselector relays includes a first and a second set of contacts operableupon energization of a selector relay from a first to a second position,the first set of contacts of all but one selector relay in the firstposition being connected in series, the second set of contacts of allbut said one selector switch being connected in series, the first set ofcontacts of each selector switch in the second position being connectedin said third circuit, the second set of contacts of all but said oneselector relay being serially connected with the corresponding solenoidwinding and said second timer switch, the first set of contacts of saidone selector relay in thesecond position being serially connected withthe second set of contacts of said one selector relay in the secondposition to establish said initial energizing circuit for the vendmotor.

8. A control circuit for the vend cycle of a multiselection,coin-operated vending machine having a plurality of columns of articlesadapted to be selectively dispensed one at a time comprising solenoidactuating means for each column for controlling the release of articlesfrom the columns, a vend motor common to all columns, selecting meansfor each column including a selector relay and a switch, a vend relaycommon to all columns for establishing an energizing circuit to aselector relay through a corresponding selector switch upon energizationof said vend relay, coin operable means connected for establishing anenergizing circuit to said vend relay, a first and a second switch,means responsive to operation of said vend motor for actuating saidswitches between a first and a second position, a first circuitincluding an energized selector relay establishing a first energizingcircuit to said vend motor, a second circuit including said first switchin its second position establishing a second energizing circuit for saidmotor and a third circuit including said second switch in its secondposition for energizing the solenoid actuating means corresponding to aselection.

9. A control circuit as set forth in claim 8 including means connectingsaid energized selector relay for energization upon actuation of any oneof said selector switches.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, PrimaryExaminer U.S. Cl. X.R.

